62 Subject Verb Agreement Worksheets page 5 - Free to Edit ... - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The task involves solving a grammar exercise focusing on verb agreement. The goal is to choose the correct verb form (singular or plural) that agrees with the subject of each sentence. This requires understanding the rules of subject-verb agreement, particularly in cases involving singular and plural subjects, as well as special cases like collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects.

Solution and Explanation:

#### 1. The color of the fish and birds (serves, serve) as a protection.
- Subject: "The color of the fish and birds" (singular subject because "the color" is singular).
- Correct Verb: "serves."
- Explanation: Despite mentioning "fish and birds," the subject is "the color," which is singular.

#### 2. One of those students (was, were) late again.
- Subject: "One of those students" (singular subject because "one" is singular).
- Correct Verb: "was."
- Explanation: Phrases like "one of" indicate a singular subject, so the verb must be singular.

#### 3. The teacher, as well as the students, (was, were) praised.
- Subject: "The teacher" (singular subject; "as well as the students" is a prepositional phrase and does not affect the verb).
- Correct Verb: "was."
- Explanation: The main subject is "the teacher," which is singular.

#### 4. A happy smile or a friendly hello (doesn’t, don’t) hurt anyone.
- Subject: "A happy smile or a friendly hello" (singular subject because it refers to one idea).
- Correct Verb: "doesn’t."
- Explanation: When two singular subjects are joined by "or," the verb agrees with the closer subject, which is singular here.

#### 5. Neither one of our neighbors (has, have) any children.
- Subject: "Neither one of our neighbors" (singular subject because "neither one" is singular).
- Correct Verb: "has."
- Explanation: "Neither one" is singular, so the verb must be singular.

#### 6. The student, together with his teachers, (was, were) in the room.
- Subject: "The student" (singular subject; "together with his teachers" is a prepositional phrase and does not affect the verb).
- Correct Verb: "was."
- Explanation: The main subject is "the student," which is singular.

#### 7. The coach and his assistant (teaches, teach) us patiently.
- Subject: "The coach and his assistant" (plural subject because it involves two people).
- Correct Verb: "teach."
- Explanation: When two subjects are joined by "and," the verb agrees with the plural subjects.

#### 8. The coach or his assistant (teaches, teach) us patiently.
- Subject: "The coach or his assistant" (singular subject because "or" indicates one of the two).
- Correct Verb: "teaches."
- Explanation: When two singular subjects are joined by "or," the verb agrees with the singular subject.

#### 9. Either Jane or Joe (was, were) at the games.
- Subject: "Either Jane or Joe" (singular subject because "either" indicates one of the two).
- Correct Verb: "was."
- Explanation: Similar to the previous example, "either" makes the subject singular.

#### 10. Either Jane or her sisters (was, were) at the games.
- Subject: "Either Jane or her sisters" (plural subject because "her sisters" is plural).
- Correct Verb: "were."
- Explanation: When "either" is used with a singular and a plural subject, the verb agrees with the closer subject, which is plural here.

#### 11. The carpenter, as well as his helper, (do, does) an excellent job.
- Subject: "The carpenter" (singular subject; "as well as his helper" is a prepositional phrase and does not affect the verb).
- Correct Verb: "does."
- Explanation: The main subject is "the carpenter," which is singular.

#### 12. There (is, are) only one answer on his paper.
- Subject: "one answer" (singular subject).
- Correct Verb: "is."
- Explanation: The subject "one answer" is singular.

#### 13. Every one of the wastebaskets (was, were) too full.
- Subject: "Every one of the wastebaskets" (singular subject because "every one" is singular).
- Correct Verb: "was."
- Explanation: "Every one" is singular, so the verb must be singular.

#### 14. Corn and peas (is, are) our best crops.
- Subject: "Corn and peas" (plural subject because it involves two items).
- Correct Verb: "are."
- Explanation: When two subjects are joined by "and," the verb agrees with the plural subjects.

#### 15. Two hours (ix, are) enough for a good rest.
- Subject: "Two hours" (plural subject).
- Correct Verb: "are."
- Explanation: The subject "two hours" is plural.

#### 16. This type of beverage (tastes, taste) delicious.
- Subject: "This type of beverage" (singular subject).
- Correct Verb: "tastes."
- Explanation: The subject "this type" is singular.

#### 17. Mr. Jones or his assistant (help, helps) us with problems.
- Subject: "Mr. Jones or his assistant" (singular subject because "or" indicates one of the two).
- Correct Verb: "helps."
- Explanation: When two singular subjects are joined by "or," the verb agrees with the singular subject.

#### 18. The teacher or the students (has, have) begun the project.
- Subject: "The teacher or the students" (plural subject because "students" is plural).
- Correct Verb: "have."
- Explanation: When "or" is used with a singular and a plural subject, the verb agrees with the closer subject, which is plural here.

#### 19. (Don’t, Doesn’t) the Smiths live near you?
- Subject: "the Smiths" (plural subject).
- Correct Verb: "Don’t."
- Explanation: The subject "the Smiths" is plural, so the auxiliary verb must be plural.

#### 20. Here (is, are) the supplies for the camping trip.
- Subject: "the supplies" (plural subject).
- Correct Verb: "are."
- Explanation: The subject "the supplies" is plural.

#### 21. Neither of these routes (lead, leads) directly to the beach.
- Subject: "Neither of these routes" (singular subject because "neither" is singular).
- Correct Verb: "leads."
- Explanation: "Neither" is singular, so the verb must be singular.

#### 22. The corners of the painting (is, are) crooked.
- Subject: "The corners of the painting" (plural subject because "corners" is plural).
- Correct Verb: "are."
- Explanation: The subject "the corners" is plural.

#### 23. Any one of my students (perform, performs) well.
- Subject: "Any one of my students" (singular subject because "any one" is singular).
- Correct Verb: "performs."
- Explanation: "Any one" is singular, so the verb must be singular.

#### 24. (Was, Were) your questions answered politely?
- Subject: "your questions" (plural subject).
- Correct Verb: "Were."
- Explanation: The subject "your questions" is plural.

Final Answers:

1. serves
2. was
3. was
4. doesn’t
5. has
6. was
7. teach
8. teaches
9. was
10. were
11. does
12. is
13. was
14. are
15. are
16. tastes
17. helps
18. have
19. Don’t
20. are
21. leads
22. are
23. performs
24. Were

Final Answer:

\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{serves} \\
2. \text{was} \\
3. \text{was} \\
4. \text{doesn’t} \\
5. \text{has} \\
6. \text{was} \\
7. \text{teach} \\
8. \text{teaches} \\
9. \text{was} \\
10. \text{were} \\
11. \text{does} \\
12. \text{is} \\
13. \text{was} \\
14. \text{are} \\
15. \text{are} \\
16. \text{tastes} \\
17. \text{helps} \\
18. \text{have} \\
19. \text{Don’t} \\
20. \text{are} \\
21. \text{leads} \\
22. \text{are} \\
23. \text{performs} \\
24. \text{Were}
\end{array}
}